210 
DESCRIPTIVE LINES ON THE SWAN. 
is now complete, and we pass on to another family. Before 
doing which let ns quote Mant's descriptive lines : — 
From Iceland, where to horse and hound, 
By moulting pinions to the ground 
Confin'd, the else aspiring race 
Yields objects for the August chase, 
The prize of downy plumes to win ; 
And thence transferred, the lleece-like skin 
Man's frame with grateful warmth arrays. 
From wild Kamschatka's cliffs and bays, 
From Lapland snows and Norway lakes, 
The Swan his airy voyage takes. 
Unlike his kindred birds, whose mien 
Majestic decks this inland scene, 
Content with bounded sway to rule 
The precincts of their rushy pool, 
And row, with arched neck sedate, 
Their silent and sequestered state ; 
Nor sound to break that silence still 
Is echoed from their shallow bill. 
But less of form, more light of wing, 
These high with flight aspiring spring. 
The whistle strong, and deep-drawTi whoop, 
Tell to the ear the passing troop ; 
While from their proud aerial height 
The plumes, as falling snow-flakes white, 
And broad expanse of wing, defy 
The sharp ken of the straining eye. 
